TI number: S00324
Learning Aid, Electronic - Speak & Spell is an innovative talking learning aid for children introduced by TI in June, 1978. This item is a preproduction model built just prior to introduction at the Summer Consumer Electronics Show.

The white top case is probably from the proof run for that part. The IC's do not have date codes. This unit had a minor modification to resolve a ROM design problem which was corrected prior to production. Speak & Spell offered an entirely new concept in speech reproduction for "speaking toys". Word models are stored in a 128K read-only memory (ROM). The unit pulls a word as directed from the memory, processes it through an integrated circuit and speaks electronically through a standard speaker. TI's Solid State Speech which was developed for Speak & Spell was the first low-cost, mass produced unit which produced speech electronically. In this unit, the IC's do not have symbolization. The production units with the ROM correction used two ROM's, TMC0351 and TMC0352, a TMC0281 Speech Synthesizer and a derivative of the TMS1000 microprocessor. The latter processes the word algorithm and drives the light emitting diode optical array. Artifact Historical File items: Design case history: Speak & Spell learns to talk by Gene Frantz and Richard Wiggins - IEEE Spectrum, February 1982. TEXAS INSTRUMENT, INC. - EDUCATIONAL PRODUCTS, Harvard Business School Case Study, 1982 (DRAFT).

Related material in collection: S00325, G00326-8. Summary comment by: Gene Frantz.

TI number: G00309
Game, Television - The game is an engineering development prototype for a TV game project proposed in the mid 1970's by TIL. The program was not approved for funding.

The proposed program occurred at the time TV game interests were developing. TI, as were other semiconductor manufacturers, was working with potential customers on the application of semiconductors, standard and custom, in designs for TV games. The proposal was the result of this interest.

Summary comment by: Willis Adcock.

TI number: S00432
Learning Aid, Electronic - Speak & Spell is an innovative talking learning aid for children introduced by TI in June, 1978. This item is typical of the first production models. See S00324 for a more detailed information.

Speak & Spell was designed for children in the 6-14 age level. It helps them learn to spell by letting them hear, see and spell a word. Later, a family of plug-in modules were introduced to expand the range of the basic product. The suggested retail price of Speak & Spell at introduction was $50. Currently, the price in under $40 and under $10 for each module. For additional information, see the Artifacts Historical Files.

Related material in collection: S00324. Summary comment by: Gene Frantz.

TI number: S00461
Cartridge, Speak and Spell - Vowel Power

TI number: S00462
Cartridge, Speak & Spell - Basic Builders

TI number: S00463
Cartridge, Speak & Spell - Super Stumpers

TI number: S00464
Cartridge, Speak & Spell - Mighty Verbs

TI number: S00465
Cartridge, Speak & Spell - Magnificent Modifiers

TI number: S00466
Cartridge, Speak & Spell - Vowel Ventures

TI number: S00467
Cartridge, Speak & Spell - Super Stumpers

TI number: S00433
Learning Aid, Electronic - Speak & Read is a 'talking' learning aid introduced by TI in June, 1980. Using the TI Solid State Speech technology introduced in Speak & Spell, it has a 250 word vocabulary. Its purpose is to help beginning readers develop basic reading skills.

Speak & Read was designed for children in the 4-8 age level. A family of plug-in modules was introduced, beginning in late 1980, to expand the range of difficulty. In late 1986, eight modules are available. The suggested retail prices at introduction were $95 for Speak & Read and $25 for a module. Currently, the prices are under $40 for Speak & Read and $10 for a module. For additional information, see the Artifacts Historical Files.

Related material in collection: S00324. Summary comment by: Gene Frantz.

TI number: S00468
Cartridge, Speak & Read - Dog on a Log

TI number: S00469
Cartridge, Speak & Read - On the Track

TI number: S00470
Cartridge, Speak & Read - Who's Who at the Zoo

TI number: S00471
Cartridge, Speak & Read - The Seal That Could Fly

TI number: S00472
Cartridge, Speak & Read - The Third Circle

TI number: S00473
Cartridge, Speak & Read - Sea Sights

TI number: S00474
Cartridge, Speak & Read - The Millionth Knight

TI number: S00434
Learning Aid, Electronic - Speak & Math is a 'talking' learning aid introduced by TI in June, 1980. Using the TI Solid State Speech technology introduced in Speak & Spell, it provides fun with numbers while reinforcing basic mathematical skills.

Speak & Math was designed for children in the 6-12 age level. The suggested retail price at introduction was $85; the current retail price is under $40. For additional information, see the Artifacts Historical Files.

Related material in collection: S00324. Summary comment by: Gene Frantz.

TI number: S00456
Learning Aid, Electronic - Touch & Tell

TI number: S00457
Cartridge, Touch & Tell - Alphabet Fun

TI number: S00458
Cartridge, Touch & Tell - Animal Friends

TI number: S00459
Cartridge, Touch & Tell - Number Fun

TI number: S00460
Cartridge, Touch & Tell - All About Me

TI number: S00478
Cartridge, Touch & Tell - Little Creatures

TI number: S00475
Learning Aid, Electronic - Little Maestro

TI number: S00476
Learning Aid, Electronic - Speak & Music

TI number: S00477
Learning Aid, Electronic - Magic Wand Speak & Learn